Why Mount Your Spare Tire To The Rear Door?
We’ve put thousands of miles over all kinds of terrain. We get this question constantly: Why should I put my spare tire on the back door, and not underneath where the factory mounts it? The answer is rooted in technical realities, practical experience, and a deep understanding of what true off-roading demands.
Factory Undercarriage Mount: Adequate for City Drivers—but Not for Off-Road Travelers
The stock location for your spare—underneath the van—works just fine for those sticking to paved roads. If your van only sees highway commutes, then keeping your spare tire below is convenient and out of sight.
But the equation changes the moment you crave real trail time:
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Off-roading means unpredictable conditions: Ruts, mud, rocks, inclines, and obstacles demand every inch of clearance and every bit of preparation.
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Trail repairs aren’t like driveway maintenance: The logistics of changing a tire in your driveway versus the mud and slope of a trail are worlds apart.
Here’s Why Rear Door Tire Carriers Win Every Time
1. Full-Size Spare Readiness
Hard-packed trails, sharp rocks, muddy ruts—these elements are notorious for chewing up smaller tires. Aftermarket wheels and tires are popular upgrades for adventure vans, but a full-size spare becomes essential if you upgrade your rig.
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Undercarriage space is limited. Squeezing a larger, full-size tire underneath requires mounting kits at best—and serious muscle and luck if you need to dismount it on the trail.
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Easy access matters. When you’re stuck on a rocky shelf or knee-deep in mud, having your full-size spare securely—and accessibly—mounted to the back is invaluable.
2. Safety: Clearances and Trail Hazards
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Undercarriage vulnerability: The lowest point on your van—often the rear diff sitting about two inches from the dirt—leaves little room to crawl underneath, especially if the ground isn’t flat and dry.
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Mud & Rain: After a downpour, you’ll be crawling in the mud to access that spare, putting yourself in an uncomfortable (and potentially dangerous) spot.
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Unstable Setups: Trying to jack up a van on muddy or uneven surfaces can cause the jack to sink or slip—a serious safety hazard if you’re working underneath.
3. Off-Grid Problem Solving: Tire Pressure and Bead Issues
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On-trail fixes: Reseating a bead without professional equipment is tough, even for seasoned pros. Access to a full-size, trail-ready spare allows you to get moving again without fuss.
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Under-mount limitations: Wrestling that tire cage open, especially if it won’t drop due to mud, rocks, or an awkward angle, may be impossible on the trail.
4. Protection from Damage
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Rock strikes: Exposed spares under your van are vulnerable to damage from sharp rocks. One unseen puncture to a sidewall can doom your spare—sometimes without you even realizing it, until it’s too late.
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Mud and debris: An undercarriage tire accumulates grime, which can make removal messy and difficult just when you need the spare most.
5. Trail-Ready Convenience and Time Savings
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Fast changes: A rear door mount makes tire changes quick and manageable, without crawling or improvising jacks on uneven ground.
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No surprises: Visual checks are easy—just a quick walkaround at your campsite or before hitting the next trail segment.
Why the Rear Door Wins for Safety, Access, and Confidence
When building out your ultimate adventure van—deciding where to mount your spare tire is more than a cosmetic choice. Choosing between the standard undercarriage mount and a rear door carrier can make the difference between a smooth trail fix and a backcountry headache. Moving your spare to the rear door is all about about real-world readiness.
Key advantages:
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Maximizes ground clearance
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Keeps you, and your recovery partners, out of unsafe positions under the van
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Shields the spare from trail damage and unexpected failures
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Speeds up repairs so you’re back on the road sooner
Ready to Upgrade? Don’t Wait Until the Next Flat
If you’re still running the factory under-mount spare, ask yourself: would you bet your next off-grid journey on awkward recoveries, cramped clearances, or a tire that’s already been sliced by an unseen rock? True adventure means preparation—and nothing says prepared like easy-access, real-deal spares on your rig.
